A group of drugs used to relieve muscle spasm and spasticity. Muscle-relaxant drugs are used mainly in the treatment of nervoussystem disorders such as multiple sclerosis and painful muscular conditions such as torticollis. They are occasionally used to relieve muscle rigidity caused by injury. Some types are used to cause temporary paralysis during surgery under general anaesthesia. Except for dantrolene, muscle-relaxant drugs partly block nerve signals that stimulate muscle contraction. Dantrolene interferes with the chemical activity in muscle cells needed for contraction. The drugs may cause muscle weakness and drowsiness. In rare cases, dantrolene causes liver damage.
Muscle-relaxant drugs |
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